Motion picture film pressure plate assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly formed of an integral piece of sheet metal comprising an elongated pressure plate, a leaf-type spring, a bracket for mounting a light-reflecting element in operative relationship to an aperture provided in the pressure plate and an arrangement for reflecting extraneous light rays in a direction away from the light-reflecting element. In a preferred embodiment, this assembly is incorporated into a unique motionpicture-film-handling cassette adapted to be first mounted in a camera to facilitate exposure operations and then in a processorprojector unit to facilitate film-processing and projection operations.

United States Patent [72] inventors Gerald ll. Cook Lynnlield; Rogers B.Downey, Lexington, both of Mass.

[21] Appl. No. 838,822

[22] Filed July 3, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [73] AssigneePolaroid Corporation Cambridge, Mass.

[54] MOTION PICTURE FILM PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY 11 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 352/221, 352/78 R, 352/130 [51] int. Cl G03b U411 [50] Fieldof Search 352/72, 78, 221 T, 104

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,238,719 4/1941 Tartas352/72 2,431,681 12/1947 Barstow 352/229 2,526,647 10/1950 Foster et a1.352/224 X 3,136,209 6/1964 Briskin et a1 352/224 X 3,281,199 10/1966Kingston 352/78 X 3,466,123 9/1969 Skuja 352/221 X FOREIGN PATENTS1,086,353 10/1967 Great Britain 352/78 Primary Examiner--Louis R. PrinceAssistant Examiner-Joseph W. Roskos Attorneys-Brown and Mikulka, W. D.Roberson and R. L.

Berger ABSTRACT: An assembly formed ofan integral piece ofsheet metalcomprising an elongated pressure plate, a leaf-type spring, a bracketfor mounting a light-reflecting element in operative relationship to anaperture provided in the pressure plate and an arrangement forreflecting extraneous light rays in a direction away from thelight-reflecting element. In a preferred embodiment, this assembly isincorporated into a unique motion-picture-film-handling cassette adaptedto be first mounted in a camera to facilitate exposure operations andthen in a processor-projector unit to facilitate filmprocessing andprojection operations PATENTEU DEC! 4197' 3.627.407

sum 1 UF 3 INVENTORS it; 5 ROGERS B. DOWNEY o GERALD H. COOK BY/E/MWA nd7725M Mal M iv ATTORNEYS sit-527L407 PATENTEU DEC] 4 mm SHEET 2 BF 3FIG.2

INVENTORS ROGERS a. DONNEY MMX ATTORNEYS PATENTEDUECMISYI 3627,40?

sum 3 [IF 3 INVENTORS ROGERS B. DOWNEY GERALD H. COOK and W ATTm/VEX; W

MOTION PICTURE FILM PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates tophotography and, more particularly, to an improved device forfacilitating first the exposure of a strip of photosensitivephotographic material and then the projection of visible images recordedthereon after the exposed strip of photographic material has beenprocessed.

2. Description of the Prior Art After motion picture film has beenexposed in a camera, it has generally been the practice for thephotographer to sent the container of exposed film to a processinglaboratory. At the laboratory the film is removed from the container andsubjected to a series of operations in order to develop visible imagesfrom the images recorded thereon during the exposure operations. Thefully developed filmstrip is then rewound onto a reel at the laboratoryand returned to the user.

The extended delay normally incurred between the time exposed film issent to the laboratory and returned ready for viewing has proved to be asignificant inconvenience to the user and a source of great annoyance.

The field of still photography is no longer hampered by extensiveperiods of delay associated with the processing of exposed film. Theimpact on the public of the one-step photographic process employingdiffusion transfer techniques is a matter of record and generally wellknown. The home still photographer can now enjoy the fruits of hisefforts in a matter of seconds. This important convenience has beenavailable to the amateur still photographer for many years.

Most recently, important technological advances have made it possiblefor the home photographer interested in motion pictures to enjoy thissame convenience. Radically different systems have now been developedwhich pennit the photographer himself to quickly and easily process andproject motion picture film shortly after the pictures have been taken.Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those described incopending applications Ser. No. 755,901 of Edwin H. Land filed Aug. 28,I968; Ser. No. 761,771 of Rogers B. Downey filed Sept. 23, I968; Ser.No. 766,481 of Rogers 8. Downey filed Nov. 18, I968; Ser. No. 722,789 ofVaito K. Eloranta and Benjamin C. Ruggles filed Nov. 1, I968; Ser. No.788,897 of Rogers B. Downey filed Jan. 3, 1969; Ser. No. 813,427 ofRogers B. Downey filed Apr. 4, l969; Ser. No. 8l3,469 of Rogers B.Downey filed Apr. 4, 1969; and Ser. No. 813,586 of Rogers B. Downey andPaul W. Thomas filed Apr. 4, I969; all of which applications areassigned to the assignee of the present invention. Each of the systemsdescribed in the aforementioned copending applications mostadvantageously employ a cassette from which the film need not be removedduring exposure, processing and projecting operations. I

In commercial and industrial operations, such rapidmotionpicture-processing systems are not only an improvement as a matterof convenience, but have other important effects as well. For instance,motion picture newsreel programs can be presented on television to theviewing public shortly after events of interest have occurred and beenphotographed.

Considerable funds and effort are currently being expended to furtherimprove and refine various features of these systems. Obviously, inorder for these new systems to enjoy widespread popularity, it isnecessary that the cost of the eassettes employed therein be low, i.e.the cost to the consumer for exposing and processing a given length of agiven type of film utilizing these multipurpose cassettes must becompetitive with the cost of obtaining a similar strip of fullydeveloped film employing other types of film-handling systems. Thisrequirement for a low-cost cassette is an extremely criticalconsideration, the importance of which cannot be overemphasized.

It is desirable that cassettes of this general type include aninternally mounted pressure plate and means for alternately resilientlyurging that member into operable relationship with the aperture platesof a camera and a projector. Also many of these cassettes advantageouslyemploy an internally mounted light-reflecting element, which may beprismatic in configuration, for redirecting light rays from theprojector's light source outwardly from the cassette through the fullyprocessed filmstrip and a film gate of the cassette. It is alsoimportant that only the useful light rays from the projector's lightsource be permitted to enter the cassette so as to come into contactwith the cassettes light-reflecting element. Any extraneous light raysfrom the light source entering the cassette could result in anoverheating condition within the interior of the cassette withdeleterious effects on the various components housed therein.

The present invention is directed to an extremely simple lowcost devicecapable of effectively performing a plurality of necessary and/ordesirable functions associated with the exposure and projection ofmotion picture film and which is particularly well suited forincorporation in compact multipurpose film-handling cassettes.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide amotion-picture-film-handling cassette incorporating an improved pressureplate assembly.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide amotion-picture-film-handling cassette incorporating a low-cost devicecomprising a pressure plate and integrally formed spring means.

A further object of this invention is to provide amotion-picture-film-handling cassette incorporating a low-cost devicecomprising a pressure plate and mounting means for a lightreflectingelement.

An additional object of this invention is to provide amotion-picture-film-handling cassette incorporating a device formed ofan integral piece of sheet metal comprising a pressure plate, springmeans and mounting means for a lightreflecting element.

Further, an object of this invention is to provide amotionpicture-film-handling cassette incorporating a low-cost devicecomprising an integrally formed pressure plate and lightreflectingelement mounting means in combination with a light-reflecting element.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedfilm-handling cassette incorporating a device comprising a pressureplate and a light-reflecting element mounted thereon.

Also, an object of this invention is to provide an improvedmotion-picture-film-handling cassette incorporating a device formounting a light-reflecting element and means formed integrallytherewith for reflecting extraneous light rays outwardly of thecassette.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedpressure plate assembly for use with a strip of photographic material.

Additionally, a further object of this invention is to provide alow-cost device for use with a strip of photographic material comprisinga pressure plate, spring means and mounting means for a light-reflectingelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are consideredcharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to itsorganization and its method of operation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have beenemployed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of a compact multipurposemotion-picture-film-handling cassette embodying features of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of the pressure plateassembly incorporated in the cassette of FIG. 1 and which embodiesfeatures of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the pressure plateassembly incorporated in the cassette of FIG. 1 and which embodiesfeatures of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic partially cutaway and partially sectionedperspective view of the pressure plate assembly incorporated in thecassette of FIG. 1, which view also illustrates the operativerelationship between the light-reflecting element of the cassette andthe light source of a projector;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic partially cutaway, partial front elevation viewillustrating the cassette of FIG. 1 with its pressure plate assembly andalso illustrating the operative relationship of the pressure plateassembly and the aperture plates of a camera and projector;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic partial vertical sectional view illustratingdetails of the pressure plate assembly employed in the cassette shown inFIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic partial vertical sectional view similar to FIG.6 except showing the operative relationship between the pressure plateassembly and the aperture plate of a camera when the cassette is mountedin a camera; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic partial vertical sectional view similar to FIG.6 except illustrating the operative relationship between the pressureplate assembly and the aperture plate of a projector when the cassetteis mounted in a projector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of this inventionbriefly comprises a pressure plate assembly formed of an integral pieceof sheet metal and which includes a pressure plate, a leaf spring andmounting means for a light-reflecting element. The pressure platecomprises a recessed portion extending the length thereof positionedintermediate a pair of raised edge portions. The mounting means arepreferably configured to receive a light-reflecting element which isprismatic in nature, and are positioned so that the light-reflectingelement is mounted in alignment with an aperture provided through thepressure plate. A portion of one of the mounting means seats against theface of the light-reflecting element adapted to receive light rays froman external light source and is provided with an aperture so thatcertain light rays from the light source are permitted to passtherethrough into contact with the lightreflecting element, whileextraneous light rays from the light source are reflected thereby awayfrom the light-reflecting element.

Most advantageously, this unique pressure plate assembly may beincorporated into a compact multipurpose motion-picture-film-handlingcassette. The assembly is mounted in the cassette adjacent openings inthe housing of the cassette which permit the aperture plates of a cameraand a projector to be alternatively positioned in operative relationshipwith the pressure plate and, further, which permit light rays from theprojectors light source to be introduced into the cassette. The lightrays which enter the light-reflecting element are reflected by thatelement outwardly of the cassette for projection purposes through theaperture in the pressure plate and the section of filmstrip disposedacross the pressure plate. Shoulders extending inwardly of the cassettefrom the pressure plate are provided with slots to receive projectionsextending from the cassette's housing to facilitate the mounting of thepressure plate assembly in the cassette. The leaf spring of the pressureplate assembly engages a boss of the cassette's housing to continuallyurge the pressure plate forwardly within the cassette housing.

A strip of unexposed photographic material is initially coiled around asupply spool and has a leader connected to a coplanarly mounted takeupspool. These spools are adapted to be selectively driven by externallymounted drive means to facilitate reversible transport of the strip ofphotographic material within the cassette across the pressure plate. Thecassette also includes a processing station for treating the strip ofphotographic material, after it has been exposed to image-carrying lightrays with processing fluid to produce visible images thereon from thelatent images recorded thereon during the exposure operations.

The cassette with its strip of photographic material in an unexposedcondition is first mounted in a camera to facilitate exposureoperations. During this sequence, the aperture plate and intermittentfilm advancement mechanism of the camera are positioned in operativerelationship with the cassette's pressure plate and the film is advancedfrom the cassette's supply spool to its takeup spool. When the exposureoperations have been completed, the cassette is removed from the cameraand inserted into a processor-projector unit. In this unit the film isfirst returned from the takeup spool to the supply spool to facilitateprocessing operations. After,

processing has been completed, i.e., after suitable visible images havebeen formed on the strip of photographic material from the latent imagesrecorded thereon during exposure operations, the aperture plate andintermittent film advancement mechanism of the projector are positionedin operative relationship with the cassettes pressure plate and theprojector's light source is energized. The visible images on the stripof photographic material are thus projected for viewing pur poses as thephotographic material is once again progressively advanced from thesupply spool to the takeup spool across the pressure plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of thisinvention is illustrated as applying a compatible processing fluid to afilm structure which comprises both a photosensitive image-recordinglayer and an image-receiving layer in which a visible image may beformed by image-forming substances transferred by diffusion from thephotosensitive layer without necessitating the subsequent removal of theprocessed photosensitive layer. This highly desirable type of filmstructure is made possible by a developed negative image having lowcovering power.

In typical silver halide diffusion transfer reversal processes for theproduction of black-and-white images, a silver halide developer and asilver halide solvent are applied in an aqueous alkaline solution to aphotoexposed silver halide stratum or emulsion where they developexposed silver halide to silver and react with unreduced silver halideto form a soluble silver complex. This complex, in order to form apositive print, is transferred and reduced to silver on asilver-receptive stratum upon which the silver halide stratum has beensuperimposed. It has generally been the practice, in the completion ofthis process, to separate the silver-receptive and silver halide stratain order to render the positive image visible, particularly when it isto be viewed in transmitted light.

However, as indicated above, the positive print may be rendered visiblewithout separation of the silver halide and silver-receptive strata. Forexample, the silver-receptive stratum may be so constituted as toprovide an unusually vigorous silver precipitating environment whichcauses the silver deposited upon it, in comparison with silver developedin the silver halide stratum, to possess very high covering power, i.e.,opacity for a given mass of reduced silver. If the silver halide is insuch a concentration as to give rise only when fully developed to apredetermined low maximum density, and if the silver complex is reducedto silver in a vigorous silver precipitating environment, the resultingnegative and positive images in superposition provide a composite thatpresents a good image for projection purposes as long as the images arecarried on a light-transmitting support. Since the silver halide stratumand the silver-receptive stratum need not be separated, a simplificationof the overall silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process isachieved.

A composite film assembly of this type as well as processingcompositions for producing a stable black-and-white image which can beviewed by transmitted light without the necessity of removing theprocessed, negative image containing photosensitive layer are shown inprior US. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which issued on Nov. 25,1958.

Other composite film assemblies capable of producing photographicrecords which can be exhibited in full color without the necessity ofremoving the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior patentsof Edwin H. Land US. Pat. Nos. 2,726,l54 issued Dec. 6, i955 and2,944,894 issued July 12, I960. All of these prior patents are assignedto the assignee of the present invention.

However, it should be noted that the present invention is not directedto the chemistry by which visible images are fonned in an exposedphotosensitive material and/or formed in an image-receiving stratumassociated therewith. While an illustrated preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown applying a compatible processing fluid to a filmstructure not requiring the removal of the photosensitive layer aftervisible image formation is completed, the invention itself is alsoapplicable for use with other types of processing fluids and filmstructures.

The illustrated preferred embodiment of this invention may best beunderstood by referring first to FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 of the drawings. Asmay be seen therein, a compact multipurpose film-handling cassette 10 isbasically constituted by a pair of housing members 11 and 12 connectedtogether to form an enclosed opaque housing. The housing member 12 isprovided with a recessed portion 13 and a removable cover plate 14 whichin combination define an enclosed section 15 separated from a mainsection 17 of the cassette l0.

Cutout portions of the housing members 11 and 12 define an opening 18through which image-carrying light rays may enter and/or leave thecassette l0 and, further, through which an aperture plate of a camera orof a projector may be introduced into the cassette. in this embodiment,the cassette 10 is relatively flat and generally rectangularparallelepiped in configuration. A supply spool 20 and a takeup spool 22are coplanarly mounted within section 17 of the cassette 10 for rotationabout parallel axes. A strip of unexposed photographic material 24, ofthe type previously discussed and provided with leaders affixed to thesupply spool 20 and to the takeup spool 22, is initially substantiallyentirely coiled around the supply spool. ln passing from the supplyspool 20 to the takeup spool 22, the strip of photographic material 24sequentially travels around idlers 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34.Advantageously, the idlers 30 and 32 are positioned in opposite cornersor extremities of the cassette 10 on the same side of the supply spool20 and the takeup spool 22. Additionally, the idler 28 is advantageouslypositioned in the corner of the cassette 10 disposed on the other sideof the supply spool 20 from the takeup spool 22 and on the opposite sideof those spools from the idlers 30 and 32.

A rupturable pod 36 is positioned in the section 15 of the cassette 10adjacent the frame member 12. This pod 36 includes a weakened seal 38connected to a fluid-feeding device 40 provided with an exit orifice 42.This orifice 42 in turn communicates through an opening 44 in thehousing member 12 with a fluid reservoir chamber 46 of a dispensingcontainer 48. This dispensing container 48 also includes an applicator50 having a doctor blade 52, an orifice 54 communicating with thereservoir chamber 46 and a U-shaped extension 56 adapted to position thestrip of photographic material 24 a carefully predetermined distancefrom the doctor blade. The rupturable pod 36 initially contains aquantity of processing fluid 58 suitable to form visible images fromimages recorded on the filmstrip 24 during exposure operations and theassembly comprising the pod 36 and fluid-feeding device 40 is preferablyattached by suitable means to the housing member 12 within thecassette's enclosed section 15. This particular type of processingsystem is the subject of the present inventor's copending applicationSer. No. 8l3,469 filed Apr. 4, 1969. It should be noted that, in thepreferred embodiment, the capacity of the reservoir chamber 46 of thedispensing container 48 is equivalent to or greater than that of therupturable pod 36. For instance, it has been found that approximately 2cc. of processing fluid is sufficient to treat 50 feet of Super 8 formatfilm. Under such conditions, the pod 36 would have a capacity of 2 cc.and the capacity of the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46should be on the order of 2 to 2% cc.

It will be appreciated that once the plate 14 has been removed from thehousing member 12 an exteriorly mounted force-applying member may bedrawn across the length of the pod 36 towards its weakened seal 38 andacross the fluid-feeding device 40 to initially rupture that seal and tocause the fluid to be expelled from the pod through the fluid-feedingdevice into the reservoir chamber 46. Also, as may be seen in FIG. 1, asupport plate 60 is spring mounted from the housing member 11 on theopposite side of the filmstrip 24 from, and in alignment with, theapplicator 50. An aperture 62 provided in the housing member 11 adjacentthe support plate 60 permits an externally mounted member to beintroduced into the cassette 10 to displace the support plate 60 intocontact with the filmstrip 24 and to slidably engage the filmstripagainst the applicator 50. Once the filmstrip 24 has been seated againstthe applicator 50 and the processing fluid 58 expelled from the pod 36into the reservoir chamber 46, transport the filmstrip in a directionfrom the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20 will cause the filmstripto draw processing fluid from the applicator to form a fluid coatingtherealong.

Mounted between the housing member 12 and a wall 64 of the housingmember 11 isa light-sealing arcuate member 66, one end of which ispositioned against the dispensing container 48. The other end of themember 66 is connected to one end of a second light-sealing arcuatemember 68 which extends to within the vicinity of the idler 32. Thesearcuate members 66 and 68, in combination with the dispensing container48, serve to effectively divide the section 17 of the cassette 10 into afirst compartment 70 sealed in a lighttight manner from asecond'compartment 72. Additionally, it will be noted that in thepreferred embodiment the light-sealing arcuate member 66 and a wall 74of the dispensing container 48 constitute arcs having a common axiswhich is that of the supply spool 20. Thus, the arcuate member 66 andthe wall 74 further serve to control the disposition of that portion ofthe filmstrip 24 coiled around the spool 20 within the cassette 10.Similarly, the light-sealing member 68 constitutes an arc, the axis ofwhich is also that of the takeup spool 22, and, consequently, thearcuate member 68 serves to control the disposition of that portion ofthe filmstrip 24 coiled around the takeup spool 22 within the cassette10.

It should be also noted at this point that the wall 64 of the cassette10 is provided with an opening 76 communicating with the aforementionedopening 18 of the cassette 10. As will subsequently become moreapparent, this opening 76 permits light rays from an external lightsource to be introduced into the cassette 10 for projection purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that a resilientmember 78 is connected to the inside face of the wall 64 by any suitablemeans, such as rivets 80, and extends over and in spaced relationship tothe end surfaces 82 and 84 of the idlers 32 and 34, respectively.Provided in the wall 64 is an aperture 86 disposed over the resilientmember 78 whereby an external force-applying member may be introducedinto the cassette 10 to urge the resilient member's end portions 88 and90 into frictional engagement with the idlers 32 and 34, respectively,to restrain further rotational movement of those idlers. In order toeffectively lightseal the interior of the cassette 10, a ring 92 mountedon the resilient member -78 is coaxially disposed with respect to theaperture 86 and adapted to seat in an annular recess 94 of the wall 64.

Mounted within compartment 72 of the cassette 10 so as to be inalignment with the opening 18 is a pressure plate assembly 96 in whichis mounted a light-reflecting element 98. It will be noted that thislight-reflecting element 98 is disposed in operable relationship to boththe opening 18 and the opening 76 of the cassette [0. The nature of thisunique pressure plate assembly 96, the functions which it performswithin the cassette l0 and the means by which it is mounted within thecassette will subsequently be described in considerable detailhereinafter.

The spools 20 and 22 are respectively provided with fluted recesses 100and 102 which are adapted to receive externally mounted drive meansthrough apertures (not shown) appropriately provided through thecassettes wall 64. Thus, the cassette includes means for reversiblytransporting the strip of photographic material 24 between the supplyspool and the takeup spool 22 and across the applicator 50 and thepressure plate assembly 96.

The nature of the pressure plate assembly 96 is clearly depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. it will be recognized that mostadvantageously this assembly 96, in its preferred embodiment, may beformed of an integral piece of sheet metal, such as stainless steel,chromium-plated steel or a beryllium copper alloy. As such it can beproduced in lowcost, high-volume manufacturing operations. As shown inthe drawings, the pressure plate 104 itself comprises an elongatedrecessed portion 106 disposed between a pair of raised-edge portions 108and 110. Provided through the uppermost raised edge portion 108 is anelongated slot 112, while a rectangular aperture 114 is positionedthrough a section of the elongated recessed portion 106. Formed as partof an extension 116 of the raised edge portion 108 is a leaf spring 118.This extension 116 makes a double righbangle turn with respect to thepressure plate 104 so that the leaf spring 118 is positioned behind thepressure plate and extends from the extension 116 in a direction awayfrom the pressure plate.

The raised-edge portion 108 and extension 116 are provided with a cutoutportion 120, while the raised edge portion 108 is also provided withanother cutout portion 122. It will also be noted that a pair of tabs124 and 126 extend from the lower raised-edge portion 110. Retainingmembers 128 and 130 extend rearwardly from the pressure plates recessedportion 106 on opposite sides of the aperture 114. Also extendingrearwardly of the pressure plate 104 is a mounting bracket 132comprising a support plate 134, having a circular aperture 136 providedtherethrough, and a support arm 138 extending inwardly toward thepressure plate from the end 140 of the plate 134. As shown in FIGS. 4and 6 of the drawings, a prismatic light-reflecting element 98 isadapted to be mounted firmly against the pressure plate 104 by theretaining members 128 and 130 and the mounting bracket 132. In thisrespect the arm 138 of the mounting bracket 132 is stressed to pressfirmly against the light-reflecting element 98.

As indicated, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, thelight-reflecting element 98 is prismatic in nature. It includes aconcave light-receiving transparent face 142 and a flat reflectingsurface 144 which reflects light received into the element through themounting brackets circular aperture 136 and the element'slight-receiving face 142 outwardly of the light-reflecting elementthrough a convex transparent face 146. After leaving thelight-reflecting element 98, these rays pass through the pressureplate's rectangular aperture 114 and that portion of the filmstrip 24disposed thereover and the cassettes opening 18. A prismatic element ofthis type suitable for use in connection with the present invention isdescribed in copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bingfiled Oct. 15, 1968 and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. Thus, the cassette's opening 18 constitutes a film gateadapted to serve as an exposure station during a first pass of thephotosensitive filmstrip 24 across the pressure plate 104 and as aprojection station during subsequent operations in which the filmstrip,in a fully processed condition, is advanced from the supply spool 20 tothe takcup spool 22.

ldler 30, around which the filmstrip 24 passes on the way from thesupply spool 20 to the pressure plate 104 may, if desired, be mounted ona movable post spring biased toward the corner which it occupies in thehousing of the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inwardaway from that comer. Also, idler 32 may be spring biased toward thecomer which it occupies of the housing of the cassette 10 and capable ofbeing moved resiliently inward away from that corner. This representsone way to minimize strain exerted on the filmstrip 24 by theconventional intermittent film advancement structure during theseexposure and projection operations.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, a pair of shoulders 148and 150 respectively extend rearwardly from the pressure plate s raisededge portions 108 and 110. Respectively provided through the shoulders148 and 150 are a pair of elongated slots 152 and 154 which facilitatethe mounting of the pressure plate assembly 96 in the cassette 10 in amanner to be described.

At the time the housing member 11 is assembled to the housing member 12,the elongated slots 152 and 154 of the pressure plate assemblysshoulders 148 and 150 respectively receive rectangular projections 156and 158 formed integrally with the members 11 and 12 (see FIGS. 2 and6). Since the height of the pressure plate assembly 96 is slightly lessthan the distance between the inside faces of the housing members 11 and12, this assembly initially floats," i.e., is free to move a limitedamount, between the housing members on the rectangular projections 156and 158. Additionally, it will be noted that, while the rectangularprojections 156 and 158 are of substantially the same length as theelongated slots 152 and 154, their width is somewhat less than the widthof those slots. Consequently, the rectangular projections 156 and 158effectively prevent movement of the pressure plate assembly 96 withinthe cassette 10 in a direction toward or away from either the idler 30or idler 32, but permit a limited amount of movement of the pressureplate assembly in a direction towards and away from the cassette sopening 18.

Also at the time the pressure plate assembly 96 and the housing members11 and 12 are assembled, the pressure plates leaf spring 118 is seatedagainst a boss 160 formed integrally with the housing member 12 andextending inwardly of the cassette 10. Thus, the force of this spring118 continually urges the pressure plate assembly 96 in a directiontoward the cassette's opening 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). As shown in FIG.6, movement of the pressure plate assembly 96 in a direction toward theopening 18 under the force of the leaf spring 118 is initiallyrestrained by the rear edges of the slots 152 and 154 engaging theprojections 156 and 158, respectively. It will also be noted that whenthe pressure plate assembly 96 is thus seated against the projections156 and 158, the section of the filmstrip 24 intermediate the idlers 30and 32 and disposed along the pressure plate 104 has its respective edgesurfaces bearing against the pressure plates raised edge portions 108and 110. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive surface ofthe filmstrip 24 faces inwardly of the cassette 10 such that exposure ofthe photosensitive emulsion is effected through the transparent filmbase.

It will be appreciated that the housing members 11 and 12, as well asvarious elements associated therewith, e.g., the light-sealing members66 and 68, the projections 156 and 158 and the boss 160, may, forexample, be formed from a suitable thermoplastic resin, such as anacrylic or a polystyrene, in inexpensive injection-molding processes.Similarly, the dispensing container 48 and the removable cover plate 14may be formed by injection-molding processes employing the same type ofmaterial.

As previously mentioned, the cassette 10 is initially furnished withsubstantially all of the filmstrip 24 in a photosensitive conditioncoiled on the supply spool 20. For exposure purposes, the cassette 10 ismounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with the drive means of thecamera engaging the recess 102 of the takeup spool 22. While theparticular camera employed does not form part of the present invention,it may advantageously take the form of the camera described in thehereinbefore-mentioned application Ser. No. 813,427 of Rogers B. Downey,filed Apr. 4, I969. The camera described in that application includes adoormounted pin which automatically enters the cassette 10 through itsaperture 86 to snub the idlers 32 and 34 whenever the cassette ismounted therein. In any case, means should be included to snub theseidlers 32 and 34 during exposure operations. Additionally, when thecassette 10 is mounted in the camera, an aperture plate and anintermittent film advancement mechanism, which may take a conventionalform,

of the camera, are positioned through the cassettes opening 18 intooperable relationship to the pressure plate 104. This condition isdiagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 4, and 7 of the drawings. Lightrays from the scene being photographed are focused by the camera lensthrough the camera aperture plate and the cassettes opening 18 onto thephotosensitive filmstrip 24 in the passage from the supply spool 20 tothe takeup spool 22.

As shown in the above-mentioned drawings, a plurality of prongs 162,164, 166 and 168 extending from the front face of the camera's apertureplate 170 pass across the cassette's pressure plate 104. The spacingbetween the prongs 162 and 164 and between the prongs 166 and 168 issubstantially equivalent to the width of those sections of the pressureplate 104 disposed therebetween. Also, this spacing between the prongs162 and 164 and between the prongs 166 and 168 is substantiallyequivalent to the width of the filmstrip 24. Thus, once the camerasaperture plate 170 has been positioned in operable relationship to thepressure plate 104, its prongs 162, 164, 166 and 168 serve to fixedlyposition the pressure plate assembly 96 between the cassettes housingmembers 11 and 12 and to fixedly position the filmstrip 24 laterallywith respect to the pressure plate 104. It will be recalled that thepressure plate assembly 96 is restrained from movement in its lengthwisedirection within the cassette by the rectangular projections 156 and 158engaging the shoulders 148 and 150 within the slots 152 and 154,respectively.

Further, a pair of pins 172 and 174 extend from the front face of thecamera's aperture plate 170 so as to engage the pressure plates raisededge portion 108. Another pin 176 extends in a similar manner from thecameras aperture plate 170 to engage the pressure plates tab 126. Thesepins 172, 174 and 176 are of a carefully predetermined length so as todisplace the pressure plate assembly 96 inwardly of the cassette againstthe force of the leaf spring 118 whereby the section of the filmstrip 24disposed along the pressure plate 104 is positioned at the proper focalplane for exposure purposes and is disposed in spaced relationship toboth the aperture plate 170 and the pressure 104 (see FIG. 7).

During the exposure sequence, the cameras motor simultaneously drivesthe cassettes takeup spool 22 through a conventional friction-clutchingarrangement and the camera's intermittent film advancement mechanismwhich may typically include a claw 178 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), to properlyadvance the strip of photosensitive material 24 across the pressureplate 104 in front of the camera's aperture plate 170. It will be notedthat the filmstrip 24 is provided with perforations 180 in theconventional manner and, further, that these perforations are alignedwith the pressure plate's elongated slot 1 12. Thus, the claw 178 isfree to pass through the filmstrips perforations 180 into the slot 112to facilitate step advancement of the filmstrip between the pressureplate 104 and the aperture plate 170. Since the filmstrip 24 passes fromthe supply spool to the takeup spool 22 free from contact with thecamera's aperture plate 170 and the cassettes pressure plate 104, theexposure operations may be performed with a relatively small amount ofpower being furnished by the camera. At this time, the processing fluidis retained within the rupturable pod 36 and the filmstrip 24 passesbetween and in spaced relationship to the support plate 60 and theapplicator 50, thereby rendering the applicator inoperative.

After the camera's aperture plate 170 has been withdrawn from contactwith the cassette's pressure plate 96, as by removing the cassette 10from the camera, the force of the leaf spring 118 will once again urgethe pressure plate assembly 96 into its position illustrated in FIG. 6of the drawings.

While the exposed filmstrip 24 may be processed with the cassette 10mounted in a special camera or mounted in a special processingapparatus, it is preferably processed with the cassette mounted in aunit adapted to perform both filmprocessing and projection operations.The particular processor-projector unit (S) used in conjunction with thecassette 10, does not form part of the present invention; however, itmay advantageously take the form of the processor-projector unitdescribed in aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 813,427. Inany event, the cassette 's cover plate 14 should be removed to exposethe rupturable process fluid containing pod 36 -and the fluid-feedingdevice 40 connected thereto prior to insertion of the cassette 10 intothat unit. This plate 14 serves to protect the rupturable pod 36 andfluid-feeding device 40 prior to the film-processing operation.

The processor-projector unit includes means for displacing the strip ofphotographic material 24 from its position shown in FIG. 1, where it isdisposed in spaced-apart relationship to the applicator 50, intooperative relationship with the applicator. For instance, thisarrangement can be effected with a pin displaceably mounted within theprocessor-projector unit adapted to be selectively introduced into thecassette 10 through the cassettes aperture 62 to bear against thesupport plate 60 so that the support plate slidably engages thefilmstrip 24 against the applicator 50. It should be noted that thecassettes processing fluid storage and applicator system does not formpart of the present invention and may very well take a form other thanthat disclosed in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

The processor-projector (not shown) preferably includes a force-applyingmember adapted to be displaced across the pod 36 and the fluid-feedingdevice 40 after the cassette 10 has been inserted into that unit and thestrip of photographic material 24 slidably engaged against theapplicator 50 by the support plate 60. During such displacement of theaforementioned force-applying member, that member presses against thepod 36 and the fluid-feeding device 40 to first rupture the podsweakened seal 38 and to then cause the processing fluid 58 initiallystored therein to be expelled therefrom through the fluid-feeding deviceinto the fluid reservoir chamber of the dispensing container 48. Also,when the cassette 10 has been fully inserted into theprocessor-projector unit, drive shafts of that unit engage the flutedrecesses and 102 of the cassettes supply spool 20 and takeup spool 22,respectively. These shafts are connected to a conventional manner to amotor of the processor-projector unit in order to facilitate selectivereversible transport the filmstrip 24 between the supply spool 20 andthe takeup spool 22. As is conventional, the drive shaft engaging thetakeup spool 22 is connected to the motor through a friction-clutchingarrangement.

The processor-projector unit should also contain another pin which maybe selectively introduced into the cassette 10 through the aperture 86in the wall 64 to effect a snubbing of the idlers 32 and 34 duringprojection operations.

After the cassette 10 has been inserted into the processorprojectorunit, the strip of exposed photographic material seated against theapplicator 50 and the processing fluid 58 expelled from the pod 36 intothe reservoir chamber 46, the processor-projector unit's motor may beenergized to return the filmstrip from the takeup spool 22 across theapplicator 50 to the supply spool 20. This operation results in theformation of visible images on the filmstrip 24 from the latent imagesrecorded thereon during the exposure sequence. In order to facilitatethe flow of processing fluid 58 onto the filmstrip 24, it is preferredthat, when the cassette 10 is mounted in the processor-projector unit,the orientation of the cassette be such that the applicator 50 ispositioned at the lowermost section of the dispensing container 48,i.e., as shown in FIG. 1.

After the exposed filmstrip 24 has been fully processed, the

visible images recorded thereon may be appropriately projected forviewing purposes during a subsequent return of the filmstrip from thesupply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22. In thisconnection, an apertureplate 182 and an intermittent film advancement mechanism, which may takea conventional form, of the processor-projector unit are introducedthrough the cassettes opening 18 into operative relationship with thepressure plate assembly 96. This condition is diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawings. As shown therein, the projectorsaperture plate 182 includes a plurality of forwardly extending prongs162, 164', 166' and 168 which are substantially identical to the prongs162, 164, 166 and 168 associated with the cameras aperture plate 170(see also FIG. 5). These prongs 162', 164', 166 and 168' serve a purposesimilar to the prongs associated with the camera's aperture plate 170 inthat they fixedly position the pressure plate 104 between the cassette'sframe members 11 and 12 and also fixedly position the film strip 24laterally with respect to the pressure plate.

The projector's aperture plate 182 slidably engages the edge surfaces ofthe filmstrip 24 against the aperture plates raised edge portions 108and 110, respectively. The longitudinal section of the filmstrip 24 onwhich the visible images are recorded is positioned intermediate theraised-edge portions 108 and 110 of the pressure plate 104 in alignmentwith both the aperture 184 of the aperture plate 182 and the aperture114 of the pressure plate 104. Consequently, as the filmstrip 24 isdrawn across the pressure plate 104 for projection purposes, its surfaceassociated with the visible images is not contacted by either thepressure plate or the projectors aperture plate 182. It will be seen inFIG. 8 of the drawings that, as the projector's aperture plate 182slidably engages the filmstrip 24 against the cassettes pressure plate104, the pressure plate assembly 96 is displaced inwardly of thecassette against the force of the leaf spring 118 to accurately positionthe film plane for projection purposes.

The film advancement mechanism of the processor-projector unit maytypically include a claw similar to the claw 178 associated with thecamera (see FIGS. 4 and 5) which intermittently passes through thefilmstrip's perforations 180 into the pressure plates slot 112 tofacilitate step advancement of the filmstrip 24 along the pressure plate104 for projection operations.

The light source 186 of the processor-projector unit is diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. As shown therein, when thecassette I0 is mounted in the processor-projector unit, the light source186 may be energized to cause light rays emitting therefrom to enter thecassette through its opening 76. It will be recognized that the circularaperture 136 in the support plate 134 permits only those desired andnecessary light rays emitting from the light source 186 to contact thereflecting element 98. In this connection, any extraneous light raysfrom the light source 186 entering the cassette through the opening 76impinge upon the support plate 134 itself, and are reflected therebyoutwardly of the cassette. Thus such extraneous light rays are preventedfrom creating an undesirable overheated condition within the cassette10. If desirable, the face of the support plate 134 adapted to interceptand reflect such extraneous light rays may be coated with a materialhaving a high reflectivity characteristic. For instance, if aberyllium-copper alloy is selected for the sheet metal from which thepressure plate assembly 96 is to be formed, this face of the supportplate 134 may be coated with a material such as chromium or nickel.

Light rays from the light source 186 entering the lightreflectingelement 98 through its concave transparent lightreceiving face 142 areredirected by its flat reflecting surface 144 through its concavetransparent face 146 and hence outwardly of the cassette into theprojector through the pressure plate s aperture 114, the filmstrip 24and the aperture 184 of the projectors aperture plate 182. Thusimage-carrying light rays from the cassette are introduced into theprojector which contains conventional means to display such images forviewing purposes.

Prior to removing the cassette from the processor-projector unit, thepower supply of that unit should be energized in a manner to effect thereturn of the filmstrip 24 from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool20. Once the cassette 10 has been removed from the processor-projectorunit, its plate 14 may be replaced thereon. in this condition, thecassette may be conveniently stored until it is again desired to viewthe processed filmstrip contained therein. It will be noted that at thetime the pressure plate 104 is removed from operative relations hip withthe projectorfs aperture plate 182, theforce of the spring 118 willautomatically return the aperture plate assembly 96 to its positionwithin the cassette 10 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The term projector" is used herein in a comprehensive sense, i.e., tobroadly refer to those systems wherein the visible images recorded on asheet of material are reimaged for viewing purposes and is notrestricted to only those systems in which the recorded visible imagesare projected onto a screen of one type or another.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate thenovel and highly unique advantages of this invention. An extremelysimple, lightweight, low-cost assembly is provided which is capable ofeffectively performing a multiplicity of functions and which isparticularly well adapted for incorporation into a compact multipurposemotion-picturefilm-handling cassette. Advantageously, this assembly maybe readily formed of an integral piece of sheet metal. The strip ofphotographic material 24 is retained in the cassette during exposure,processing and projection operations. Editing of the developed filmstrip24 can readily be effected by drawing a loop thereof from the cassette'sopening 18 and removing sections therefrom or splicing sectionsthereinto as desired.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit and essential character thereof. The preferredembodiment described herein is therefore illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claimsare intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture projectionsystem, comprising:

a pressure plate having an aperture provided therethrough and adapted tohave a visible image-bearing strip of photographic material slidablyseated thereagainst by such aperture plate; and

means connected to said pressure plate for mounting, aligning andsupporting a light-reflecting element on said pressure plate on theopposite side thereof from such strip of photographic material inoperative relationship to said aperture, whereby light rays from a lightsource of such projection system may be redirected by suchlight-reflecting element through said aperture and such strip ofphotographic material to facilitate projection operations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate and saidmounting means are formed of an integral piece of sheet metal.

3. The apparatus of claiml wherein said mounting means comprises meansfor mounting a prismatic light-reflecting element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes meansformed integrally therewith for intercepting extraneous light rays fromsuch light source and for reflecting such extraneous light rays in adirection away from such lightreflecting element.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises apiece of sheet metal provided with an aperture therethrough and adaptedto be interposed between such light source and such light-reflectingelement when such lightreflecting element is mounted in said mountingmeans.

6. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture camera orprojection system, comprising:

a pressure plate adapted to have a strip of photographic materialpositioned therealong, said pressure plate having an aperture providedtherethrough and including means connected thereto for mounting,aligning and supporting a light-reflecting element thereon on theopposite side thereof from such strip of photographic material inoperative relationship to said aperture, whereby light rays from a lightsource of such projection system may be redirected by suchlight-reflecting element through said aperture and such strip ofphotographic material to facilitate projection operations; and

means adapted to engage an externally mounted member for resilientlyurging said pressure plate towards such aperture plate when suchaperture plate is disposed in operable relationship to said pressureplate, said pressure plate and said means for resiliently urging saidpressure plate towards such aperture plate being formed of an integralpiece of sheet metal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pressure plate, and means forresiliently urging said pressure plate towards such aperture plate andsaid mounting means are formed of an integral piece of sheet metal.

8. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintennittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture projectionsystem, comprising:

a pressure plate having an aperture provided therethrough and adapted tohave a visible image-bearing strip of photographic material slidablyengaged thereagainst by such aperture plate;

a light-reflecting element; and

means connected to said pressure plate for mounting, aligning andsupporting said light-reflecting element on said pressure plate on theopposite side thereof from such strip of photographic material inoperative relationship to said aperture, whereby light rays from a lightsource of such projection system may be redirected by saidlight-reflecting element through said aperture of said strip ofphotographic material to facilitate projection operations.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 additionally comprising means connected tosaid pressure plate for resiliently urging said pressure plate towardssuch aperture plate when such aperture plate is disposed in operativerelationship to said pressure plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for resiliently urgingsaid pressure plate towards such aperture plate comprises a leaf springformed integrally with said pres sure plate.

11. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture projectionsystem, comprising:

a pressure plate having an aperture provided therethrough and adapted tohave a visible image-bearing strip of photographic material slidablyengaged thereagainst by such aperture plate;

a light-reflecting element; and

means connected to said pressure plate for mounting saidlight-reflecting element on the opposite side of said pressure platefrom such strip of photographic material in operative relationship tosaid aperture and comprising a piece of sheet metal formed integrallywith said mounting means having an aperture provided therethrough andadapted to be interposed between such light source and saidlight-reflecting element, whereby said certain light rays from suchlight source will enter said light-reflecting element through saidaperture in said piece of sheet metal and such extraneous light raysfrom such light source will be intercepted and reflected by said pieceof sheet metal.

I i i i I

1. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture projectionsystem, comprising: a pressure plate having an aperture providedtherethrough and adapted to have a visible image-bearing strip ofphotographic material slidably seated thereagainst by such apertureplate; and means connected to said pressure plate for mounting, aligningand supporting a light-reflecting element on said pressure plate on theopposite side thereof from such strip of photographic material inoperative relationship to said aperture, whereby light rays from a lightsource of such projection system may be redirected by suchlight-reflecting element through said aperture and such strip ofphotographic material to facilitate projection operations.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate and said mounting meansare formed of an integral piece of sheet metal.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means for mounting aprismatic light-reflecting element.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid mounting means includes means formed integrally therewith forintercepting extraneous light rays from such light source and forreflecting such extraneous light rays in a direction away from suchlight-reflecting element.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein saidmounting means comprises a piece of sheet metal provided with anaperture therethrough and adapted to be interposed between such lightsource and such light-reflecting element when such light-reflectingelement is mounted in said mounting means.
 6. Apparatus useful forcooperating with an aperture plate and an intermittent film-advancingmechanism of a motion picture camera or projection system, comprising: apressure plate adapted to have a strip of photographic materialposiTioned therealong, said pressure plate having an aperture providedtherethrough and including means connected thereto for mounting,aligning and supporting a light-reflecting element thereon on theopposite side thereof from such strip of photographic material inoperative relationship to said aperture, whereby light rays from a lightsource of such projection system may be redirected by suchlight-reflecting element through said aperture and such strip ofphotographic material to facilitate projection operations; and meansadapted to engage an externally mounted member for resiliently urgingsaid pressure plate towards such aperture plate when such aperture plateis disposed in operable relationship to said pressure plate, saidpressure plate and said means for resiliently urging said pressure platetowards such aperture plate being formed of an integral piece of sheetmetal.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pressure plate, andmeans for resiliently urging said pressure plate towards such apertureplate and said mounting means are formed of an integral piece of sheetmetal.
 8. Apparatus useful for cooperating with an aperture plate and anintermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motion picture projectionsystem, comprising: a pressure plate having an aperture providedtherethrough and adapted to have a visible image-bearing strip ofphotographic material slidably engaged thereagainst by such apertureplate; a light-reflecting element; and means connected to said pressureplate for mounting, aligning and supporting said light-reflectingelement on said pressure plate on the opposite side thereof from suchstrip of photographic material in operative relationship to saidaperture, whereby light rays from a light source of such projectionsystem may be redirected by said light-reflecting element through saidaperture of such strip of photographic material to facilitate projectionoperations.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 additionally comprising meansconnected to said pressure plate for resiliently urging said pressureplate towards such aperture plate when such aperture plate is disposedin operative relationship to said pressure plate.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein said means for resiliently urging said pressure platetowards such aperture plate comprises a leaf spring formed integrallywith said pressure plate.
 11. Apparatus useful for cooperating with anaperture plate and an intermittent film-advancing mechanism of a motionpicture projection system, comprising: a pressure plate having anaperture provided therethrough and adapted to have a visibleimage-bearing strip of photographic material slidably engagedthereagainst by such aperture plate; a light-reflecting element; andmeans connected to said pressure plate for mounting saidlight-reflecting element on the opposite side of said pressure platefrom such strip of photographic material in operative relationship tosaid aperture and comprising a piece of sheet metal formed integrallywith said mounting means having an aperture provided therethrough andadapted to be interposed between such light source and saidlight-reflecting element, whereby said certain light rays from suchlight source will enter said light-reflecting element through saidaperture in said piece of sheet metal and such extraneous light raysfrom such light source will be intercepted and reflected by said pieceof sheet metal.